Caught up in the busyness of life and business, it doesn’t take much for you to get out of alignment with obedience to God’s plan for our life. Most often it’s unintentional but sometimes our own self interests can be the culprit!
That’s clearly what happened with Jonah in the Old Testament. God gave him very clear instructions and he chose to turn and go in the other direction. The price he paid would be almost unbelievable if he hadn’t lived to tell the story.
Woven throughout the Bible are examples of leaders who were faced with choices that were not always easy to make. Some succeeded with obedience and others lost out big time through painful consequences they experienced. Common in each case were three important lessons about obedience to God.
1. Obedience is about Choice
Obedience to God requires a choice and that choice often requires a significant step of faith! Jonah didn’t like what the could happen if he obeyed God so he simply tried to escape by running. What God was really saying was, “simply trust me!”
Jonah lost his perspective and thought he could ignore God and get away with it. He should have remembered what Jeremiah wrote, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
"Given the plans that God has
for your life & business,
how is God asking you to just trust Him?"
2. Obedience is about Correction
Don’t you wish that every time you’re asked to obey that you always made the right choice? Unfortunately, the reality is that it’s easy to gradually drift from following His plan completely. Often, it takes a course correction to truly be obedient.
Jonah’s course correction came from those mates in the boat with him in the ravaging storm. Rightly so, they challenged Jonah to do the right thing or they’d all perish in the tumultuous sea. Jonah was confronted with what he was doing in running from God and it’s impact on others around him.
It’s important to listen to those closest to you. They may recognize your drift from His plan and help you avoid disastrous results. Remember, that your choices have a significant impact on the lives of those who live and work with you.
"To whom do you share your plans by faith,
who also can help to keep you on course?"
3. Obedience is about Consequences
Every choice has a consequence! Obey and you’ll enjoy the positive outcomes. However, it appears that Jonah forgot that when you choose to disobey, God always makes you give an account for that choice and live with the result.
When Jonah made the wrong choice, he was taught a lesson that he would never forget (nor all of us!). The time of seclusion in the belly of the whale certainly gave Jonah the opportunity for reflection on his choices. Admitting his disobedience, Jonah repented, accepted God’s forgiveness and made a turn for the better.
If consequences are plaguing you, then it might be time for some reflection to see if there are ways in which you’re drifting from obedience to His plans for your life and business.
"How often do you set aside time
to reflect on the consequences of
your obedience or disobedience to Him?"
Living a life of obedience to God is your ultimate goal as business leader. Making the right choices may take some course corrections but be assured the consequences that result will have His figure prints all over them.
